Gratuity Receiving Assembly

ABSTRACT

A gratuity receiving assembly for receiving and acknowledging tips includes a housing, which defines an interior space. A slot is positioned in the housing. An audio module is engaged to the housing, is positioned in the interior space, and can broadcast an acknowledgement. A sensor is engaged to the housing, is positioned in the interior space, proximate to the slot, and can detect insertion of a tip through the slot into the interior space. The sensor is communicatively engaged to the audio module so that the sensor is enabled to signal the audio module upon insertion of the tip through the slot. The audio module thus broadcasts the acknowledgement upon receipt of the tip.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM.

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STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The disclosure relates to receiving assemblies and more particularly pertains to a new receiving assembly for receiving and acknowledging tips. The present invention discloses a receiving assembly comprising a housing with a sensor and an audio module, wherein a sensor detects insertion of a tip through a slot in the housing and signals the audio module to broadcast an acknowledgement.

Description of Related Art including information disclosed under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98.

The prior art relates to receiving assemblies. Prior art receiving assemblies for currency may comprise tip jars for coins. Related prior art comprises coin banks, which may be integral to stuffed toys, and which may generate audio or visual stimuli upon insertion of coins. What is lacking in the prior art is a receiving assembly for gratuities comprising a housing with a sensor and an audio module, wherein a sensor detects insertion of a tip through a slot in the housing and signals the audio module to broadcast an acknowledgement.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a housing, which defines an interior space. A slot is positioned in the housing. An audio module is engaged to the housing, is positioned in the interior space, and is configured to broadcast an acknowledgement. A sensor is engaged to the housing, is positioned in the interior space, proximate to the slot, and is configured to detect insertion of a tip through the slot into the interior space. The sensor is communicatively engaged to the audio module so that the sensor is enabled to signal the audio module upon insertion of the tip through the slot. The audio module thus is configured to broadcast the acknowledgement upon receipt of the tip.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric perspective view of a gratuity receiving assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an isometric perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 6 thereof, a new receiving assembly embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6 , the gratuity receiving assembly 10 generally comprises a housing 12, which defines an interior space 14. The housing 12 may be cuboid, as shown in FIG. 1 , or alternatively shaped, such as, but not limited to, spherical, ovoid, disc, and the like. A slot 16 is positioned in the housing 12, such as in a top 18 of the housing 12, as shown in FIG. 1 . The present invention also anticipates the slot 16 being positioned in a back 20, a front 22, or a respective opposed side 24 of the housing 12.

An audio module 26 is engaged to the housing 12, is positioned in the interior space 14, and is configured to broadcast an acknowledgement. A sensor 28 is engaged to the housing 12, is positioned in the interior space 14, proximate to the slot 16, and is configured to detect insertion of a tip through the slot 16 into the interior space 14. The sensor 28 is communicatively engaged to the audio module 26 so that the sensor 28 is enabled to signal the audio module 26 upon insertion of the tip through the slot 16. The audio module 26 thus is configured to broadcast the acknowledgement upon receipt of the tip.

The present invention is anticipated to be useful for vendors, drivers, tellers, and the like, who are in a tipping environment but who may be too busy to acknowledge receiving a gratuity or who are uncomfortable in expressing their appreciation. The present invention allows the user to record an acknowledgement, which may be in their own voice, another voice, a tone, or the like.

The audio module 26 comprises a battery 30, a data storage module 32, a microphone 34, a speaker 36, a switch 38, and a microprocessor 40. The microprocessor 40 is operationally engaged to the battery 30, the data storage module 32, the microphone 34, the speaker 36, and the switch 38. The switch 38 is configured to be selectively switched to signal the microprocessor 40 to actuate the microphone 34 to record the acknowledgement to the data storage module 32. The microprocessor 40 is enabled to selectively actuate the speaker 36 to broadcast the acknowledgement to a person proximate to the housing 12 upon receipt of the tip.

A cutout 42 is positioned in the housing 12 proximate to the battery 30 and is configured to allow access to the battery 30. A panel 44 is selectively engageable to the housing 12 to close the cutout 42. An aperture 46 is positioned in the housing 12 and is configured to allow access to the interior space 14 to remove the tip. As shown in FIG. 5 , the aperture 46 is positioned in the back 20 of the housing 12, although the present invention also anticipates the aperture 46 being alternatively positioned in the housing 12, such as in the front 22 or a respective opposed side 24 of the housing 12. A plate 48 is hingedly engaged to the housing 12 proximate to the aperture 46 and is positioned to selectively close the aperture 46. A lock unit 50 is engaged to the plate 48 and is selectively engageable to the housing 12 to secure the plate 48 over the aperture 46.

The gratuity receiving assembly 10 also may comprise a base unit 52. The base unit 52 may comprise a stuffed animal 54, such as, but not limited to, a seated teddy bear 56, as shown in FIGS. 2-4 . A void 58 is positioned in the base unit 52. The housing 12 is positioned in the void 58. A slit 60 is positioned in the base unit 52 and aligned with the slot 16. The slit 60 is configured to allow for insertion of the tip into the slot 16. An opening 62 is positioned in the base unit 52 and is aligned with the plate 48, thus allowing access to the interior space 14 once the plate 48 is hinged open. A flap 64 is hingedly engaged to the base unit 52 proximate to the opening 62. The flap 64 is positioned to selectively close the opening 62, thereby covering the plate 48. The flap 64 is held in position over the opening 62 using a closure 66, such as, but not limited to, zippers, hook and loop fasteners, and the like.

In use, the acknowledgement is recorded to the data storage module 32 and the base unit 52 containing the housing 12 is positioned in a convenient location for receiving gratuities. When a customer inserts a tip through the slit 60 and slot 16 into the interior space 14, the sensor 28 detects the tipping event and signals the microprocessor 40 to actuate the speaker 36 to broadcast the acknowledgement. The user can access the gratuities in the housing 12 by unlocking the plate 48 and hinging it open.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements. 

I claim:
 1. A gratuity receiving assembly comprising: a housing defining an interior space; a slot positioned in the housing; an audio module engaged to the housing, positioned in the interior space, and being configured for broadcasting an acknowledgement; and a sensor engaged to the housing, positioned in the interior space proximate to the slot, and being configured for detecting insertion of a tip through the slot into the interior space, the sensor being communicatively engaged to the audio module, such that the sensor is enabled for signaling the audio module upon insertion of the tip through the slot, wherein the audio module is configured for broadcasting the acknowledgement upon receipt of the tip.
 2. The gratuity receiving assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing is cuboid.
 3. The gratuity receiving assembly of claim 1, wherein the slot is positioned in a top of the housing.
 4. The gratuity receiving assembly of claim 1, wherein the audio module comprises: a battery; a data storage module; a microphone; a speaker; a switch; and a microprocessor, the microprocessor being operationally engaged to the battery, the data storage module, the microphone, the speaker, and the switch, wherein the switch is configured for switching for signaling the microprocessor for actuating the microphone for recording the acknowledgement to the data storage module, such that the microprocessor is enabled for selectively actuating the speaker for broadcasting the acknowledgement to a person proximate to the housing upon receipt of the tip.
 5. The gratuity receiving assembly of claim 4, further including: a cutout positioned in the housing proximate to the battery, wherein the cutout is configured for accessing the battery; and a panel selectively engageable to the housing for closing the cutout.
 6. The gratuity receiving assembly of claim 1, further including: an aperture positioned in the housing, wherein the aperture is configured for accessing the interior space for removing the tip; and a plate hingedly engaged to the housing proximate to the aperture, such that the plate is positioned for selectively closing the aperture.
 7. The gratuity receiving assembly of claim 6, further including a lock unit engaged to the plate and being selectively engageable to the housing for securing the plate over the aperture.
 8. The gratuity receiving assembly of claim 6, wherein the aperture is positioned in a back of the housing.
 9. The gratuity receiving assembly of claim 6, further including: a base unit; a void positioned in the base unit, the housing being positioned in the void; a slit positioned in the base unit and aligned with the slot, wherein the slit is configured for insertion of the tip into the slot; an opening positioned in the base unit and aligned with the plate; a flap hingedly engaged to the base unit proximate to the opening, such that the flap is positioned for selectively closing the opening; and a closure engaged to the flap and being selectively engageable to the base unit for securing the flap over the opening.
 10. The gratuity receiving assembly of claim 9, wherein the base unit comprises a stuffed animal.
 11. The gratuity receiving assembly of claim 10, wherein the base unit comprises a seated teddy bear.
 12. A gratuity receiving assembly comprising: a housing defining an interior space, the housing being cuboid; a slot positioned in the housing, the slot being positioned in a top of the housing; an audio module engaged to the housing, positioned in the interior space, and being configured for broadcasting an acknowledgement, the audio module comprising: a battery, a data storage module, a microphone, a speaker, a switch, and a microprocessor, the microprocessor being operationally engaged to the battery, the data storage module, the microphone, the speaker, and the switch, wherein the switch is configured for switching for signaling the microprocessor for actuating the microphone for recording the acknowledgement to the data storage module, such that the microprocessor is enabled for selectively actuating the speaker for broadcasting the acknowledgement to a person proximate to the housing upon receipt of the tip; a cutout positioned in the housing proximate to the battery, wherein the cutout is configured for accessing the battery; a panel selectively engageable to the housing for closing the cutout; a sensor engaged to the housing, positioned in the interior space proximate to the slot, and being configured for detecting insertion of a tip through the slot into the interior space, the sensor being communicatively engaged to the audio module, such that the sensor is enabled for signaling the audio module upon insertion of the tip through the slot, wherein the audio module is configured for broadcasting the acknowledgement upon receipt of the tip; an aperture positioned in the housing, wherein the aperture is configured for accessing the interior space for removing the tip, the aperture being positioned in a back of the housing; a plate hingedly engaged to the housing proximate to the aperture, such that the plate is positioned for selectively closing the aperture; a lock unit engaged to the plate and being selectively engageable to the housing for securing the plate over the aperture; a base unit, the base unit comprising a stuffed animal, the base unit comprising a seated teddy bear; a void positioned in the base unit, the housing being positioned in the void; a slit positioned in the base unit and aligned with the slot, wherein the slit is configured for insertion of the tip into the slot; an opening positioned in the base unit and aligned with the plate; a flap hingedly engaged to the base unit proximate to the opening, such that the flap is positioned for selectively closing the opening; and a closure engaged to the flap and being selectively engageable to the base unit for securing the flap over the opening. 